Euthanasia

Some non-religious people are for euthanasia, some are against.

The people who are for euthanasia believe:

• Some terminal illnesses cannot be controlled, even with the best of care and the strongest of drugs.
• Everyone has the right to choose how he or she lives and dies.
• Not everybody will have an easy death, so should be given the option to have one.
• Euthanasia saves medical costs.

The people who are against euthanasia believe:

• We shouldn’t be able to control the exact date when we die.
• Hospices can give palliative care to relieve pain, and increase quality of life.
• If euthanasia was legalised some people could be forced into ending their lives.
• Some people who are terminally ill can recover.

Some groups of Christians are for euthanasia, some are against it.

Most Christians, including roman Catholics are against euthanasia because:

• Euthanasia goes against the sanctity of life principle. Life is sacred and belongs to God, therefore shouldn’t be controlled by humans.
• One of the 10 commandments is “Do not kill” euthanasia is a sin, as it is killing human life.
• God has the power to heal everyone’s illness, and increase people’s quality of life.
• Euthanasia is playing God

Liberal Christians and some Church of England members believe that euthanasia is acceptable in certain conditions. They believe:

• The golden rule states that we must love our neighbours. Euthanasia is sometimes the most loving thing to do (situation ethics.)
• If someone’s brain stem dead and they are on life support then their life has already ended. The life support can be turned off (passive euthanasia.)
• God will still rescue you and take you to heaven if you die naturally, or if you die artificially.
• God wants us to have good lives, so we should be able to die peacefully in a pain free manner.

Some groups of Christians are for euthanasia, some are against it.

Most Christians, including roman Catholics are against euthanasia because:

• Euthanasia goes against the sanctity of life principle. Life is sacred and belongs to God, therefore shouldn’t be controlled by humans.
• One of the 10 commandments is “Do not kill” euthanasia is a sin, as it is killing human life.
• God has the power to heal everyone’s illness, and increase people’s quality of life.
• Euthanasia is playing God

Liberal Christians and some Church of England members believe that euthanasia is acceptable in certain conditions. They believe:

• The golden rule states that we must love our neighbours. Euthanasia is sometimes the most loving thing to do (situation ethics.)
• If someone’s brain stem dead and they are on life support then their life has already ended. The life support can be turned off (passive euthanasia.)
• God will still rescue you and take you to heaven if you die naturally, or if you die artificially.
• God wants us to have good lives, so we should be able to die peacefully in a pain free manner.